Building structure.



F. G. WATSON. BUILDING STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED 0012, 1909.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

3 SHEETS-$HEET 1.

in? Allorney WITNESSES P. U. WATSON.

BUILDING STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION IILED OCT.2.1.909.

1, 1 1 3,268. Patented Out. 13, 1914.

3 sHEETs SHfiET 2.

WITNESSES [NVE/VTORI WITNESSES P. C. WATSON.

BUILDING STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION TILED 00122, 1909.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

INVENTORT Allarnzym UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. WATSON, 0F WALLINGFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

BUILDING STRUCTURE.

To all whomit may concern Be it known that I, Fnaxk C. lVA'rsoN,

a citizen of the United States residing at \Vallingford. in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Building Structures. of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improvements in building structures, and relates more particularly to the construction of airspace walls formed of tile or like blocks of any suitable material, the blocks having embedded therein or attached thereto reinforcing members which serve also at their outer ends as ties, said ties functioning with keys or winding members to draw the blocks or tiles into close contact with each other. Furthermore, the blocks are so formed that they mutually interlock, suitable spaces being left between the abutting faces for the reception of a suitable grout or filling, which when dry or set forms a bond between the parts.

The invention is illustrated in' the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a face view of a section of a wall constructed in accordance with my invention, a portion being broken away to show the formation of the blocks or tile; Fig. 2 a transverse vertical sectional view, on the line 2-2 of Fig! 1; Fig. 3 a similar view, on the line 33 of Fig. 1, but one tier being shown; Fig. 4 a sectional elevation of one of the blocks prior to its being positioned; Fig. 5 an end view thereof; Fig. 6 a top plan view of the same; Fig. 7 a perspective view of one of the keys or winding members; Fig. 8 a similar view of a modified form of such device; Fig. 9 a face view of a smaller block than that shown in the preceding figures and not adapted, when assembled, to break joint as are the others; Fig. 10 a vertical sectional view of a double wall, illustrating a comparatively heavy Wall constructed by using relatively light and easily-handled tiles or blocks; Fig. 11 a perspective view illustrating one of the special blocks or tiles used in connection with the wall shown in the last figure; and Fig. 12 a vertical sectional view illustrating a wall formed of a single tier of tiles and locked together according to my invention.

As above outlined, the main object of the invention resides in the production of blocks or tiles having combined reinforcing and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 2, 1909.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

Serial No. 520,717;

tie members embedded in or attached thereto, and assembling such blocks and winding up the protruding ends of the tie members of the then adjacent blocks, whereby the blocks will be brought into intimate and permanent contact and the reinforcing members will likewise be put under strain or stress.

The invention is capable of being embodied in walls of various types, and a description will first be given of that appearing in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive.

The tiles 1, of which the wall is constructed are preferably oblong in form, each end being provided with a groove or depression 2, while the upper and lower edges are likewise grooved, as at 3 and 4. A pair of lugs 5 extend upwardly from groove 3. said lugs tapering toward their upper ends and projecting slightly beyond the edge or margin of the tile. Similar lugs 6, four in number, project downwardly from the lower edge of the groove 4, the lugs being so spaced that the two lugs 5 will, when brought into position with another tile or block, pass into the spaces formed or left between the lugs 6, see Fig. 1. As will be noted upon reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the lugs are of such height as to stop short of the bottom of the groove into which they pass, thereby leaving'a continuous channel or groove between the various blocks for the reception of grouting, as indicated at 7, which may be introduced as the blocks are placed or thereafter, when a number of blocks have been positioned.

The corners of the blocks at the rear face are cut away, as at 8, and the rear or inner wall of, each of the grooves 3 and 4, at its.

wires or rods, and preferably four in number. The wires are arranged in pairs, 11 and 12 constituting one, pair and 13 and 14 the second pair. The wires of each pair are twisted about each other at their midlength, as at 15, and extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the block, so that the ends of the wires 11 and 14 protrude at the respective corners of the block, while the ends of the wires 12 and 13 project out wardly into the notches or recesses 9 and 10., Being embedded in the blocks as the same are formed, the wires become fast therein, materially strengthening the same, and hold the parts of the block together should the same become fractured, owing to undue strain or stress, or other cause.

hen the blocks are assembled, breaking joint, as in Fig. 1, the notches or recesses 9 and 10 in the rear faces of the blocks will be in juxtaposition with the cut-away portions 8 of the adjacent blocks, thereby forming pockets or openings in the rear or inner face of the Wall, which open into the grooves or channels formed in the blocks.

Where the wall is composed of two parallel tiers of blocks or tiles, as shown in Fig. 2, the pockets stand opposite each other for the reception of the ends of the winding blocks or keys, which are employed to place the wires under stress and to thereby draw the blocks firmly together. One of said blocks is shown in Fig. 7 and comprises a body 16 preferably angular in cross-section and formed of any suitable material, having a hub or rounded projection 17 at each end thereof, beyond each of which projects an eye 18, said eyes being formed upon or as a part of a rod or wire 19 embedded in the body portion. The hubs are preferably of such a diameter as to fit the pockets or openings, see Fig. 1, and the eyes project into the grooves, and the ends of the wires or rods are passed through the eyes as the blocks are assembled. When thus positioned, a suitable tool may be applied to the block or key and rotated, thereby, winding up the ends of the wires, shortening the e ective length thereof or placing the wires under strain, and thereby drawing the blocks into close contact.

As will be noted upon reference to Fig. 2, the squared or flat ends of the key bear directly against the inner face of each tier of tiles, thus serving to properly space the same and at the same time tying the two tiers securely together.

As before noted, the grouting may be placed in the grooves as the blocks are assembled, or after a numbei of them have been positioned.

In Fig. 8 a solid metal winding block or key is illustrated. It comprises a series of ribs 21, located intermediate two disklike heads 22, from which project hubs 23 and eyes 24 with which the wires make engagement. This structure functions in the same manner as the member shown in detail in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 9 a slightly modified form of the block is shown, its face outline being square and but a single pair of wires being employed; otherwise, the structure is the same as that illustrated in the foregoing figures. With such formation the break-joint in the wall cannot be obtained.

In Fig. 10 a double wall is illustrated, an air-space or chamber 25 being left between the component members of the structure. The tiles or blocks which form the inner tier of each section, or 26 and 27, are similar to the outer tiles but have the corners removed on both faces, as snown in Fig. 11, so as to form openings for the reception of keys 28 which are placed intermediate the two parts of the wall to tie and bond the same together.

In Fig. 12 a still further embodiment of the invention is shown. The tiles 29 and 30 are in this instance made relatively thick, and are formed in substantially the same manner as the block shown in F i 1. As in said figure, the corners of the b ocks are cut away and the blocks are provided with notches, as 9 and 10; in this case, however, a shoulder, as 31, is formed on the tile to receive the face of the key 32 which is drawn tightly against the same as the wires are twisted by the rotation of the key. The rotation of the key and the twisting of the wires thereby tend under all the construc tions herein illustrated to draw the face of the key close to the tile, thereby closing the opening through which the hub of the key projects.

If found desirable. as for instance, where a rather fluid grouting is employed, a

washer, as 33, Fig. 2, might be placed between the face of the key and the tile. This, however, in usual practice will not be found essential.

To effectually prevent moisture from going thr u h the wall from one face to the other by way of the keys, said keys, when made of material which will conduct water, may be water-proofed by dipping them in oil or hot wax.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A wall, composed of a series of superposed tiles, each tile having a plurality of flexible wires or rods passing therethrough and projecting beyond the notched edges thereof and into pockets or recesses formed by the notches as the tiles are assembled; and adjustable means forming a part of the wall structure, extending into said recesses, engaging said wires and shortening their effective length when said means is adjusted, whereby the tiles will be drawn together.

2. A wall, composed of a series of superposed tiles, each having at its edge, upon one face, cut-away portions which, when the tiles are assembled, form pockets; one or more flexible wires extending through each tile and beyond the edges thereof, said wires being so placed that they terminate in the pockets; and adjustable means forming a part of the wall structure, extending into and substantially closing the pockets, said means engagin the wires and serving, when actuated, to s orten the effective length thereof, whereby the tiles will be drawn together in an edgewise direction.

3. A wall, composed of a series of superposed tiles, each having a complete front face and a rear face having cut-away portions adjacent its edges. said cut-away portions forming pockets when the tiles are assembled; flexible wires passing through each tile. and having their ends protruding beyond said cut-away portions; and adjustable means forming a part of the ultimate wall structure. said means engaging the wires of the adjacent tiles and serving. when actuated, to shorten the effective length of the wires and to thereby draw the tiles together.

4. wall, composed of a series of superposed tiles having notched edges. each tile having a flexible wire or rod passing therethrough and beyond the notched edges of the tile: winding means forming a part of the ultimate wall structure and extending into the pockets formed by the notched edges, said means engaging the wires of the adjacent tiles and serving, when actuated, to shorten the effective length of the wires. whereby the tiles will be drawn and held together; and means for holding the afore said winding means against movement when once adjusted.

5. A wall composed of a series of superposed tiles. each tile having a groove or channel formed around its edges, and with lugs or projections formed upon the upper and lower edges of said tile and adapted to pass into the grooves of the next adjacent tile: a plurality of flexible wires or rods passing diagonally through each tile, the ends of the wires or rods projecting outwardly therefrom; and means for engaging and winding or twisting up said ends. whereby the effective length of said wires will be shortened and the tiles drawn together thereby and the grooves aforesaid will form a. continuous channel for the reception of grouting or the like.

6. A wall composed of a series of superposed tiles each tile having a groove formed in its edges and likewise provided with re cesses opening into said groove on one face of the tile; a plurality of wires extending through each of said tiles. the ends of the wires projecting outwardly into the recesses; a key adapted to be seated in each of the recesses aforesaid: and means carried by the key for engaging the free ends of the wires of the proximate tiles, whereby upon the rotation of the key the wires may be placed under stress and the tiles drawn together, the grooves aforesaid forming channels for the reception of grouting or the like.

7. wall. composed of two spaced tiers of superposed tiles. the tiles having notches formed therein to produce pockets which face each other; wires located in the tiles, and terminating in the pockets: and combined spacing and wire-tensioning devices placed between the tiers. extending into the pockets, and engaging the wires, said devices when actuated, serving to place the wires under tension and draw the tiles together.

H. A wall. composed of a plurality of superposed notched tiles. said tiles la ing arranged in two tiers spaced apart. and each tile having a wire or rod passing therethrough and beyond the notched edges thereof; and a plurality of wire-engaging keys, located between the tiers. each key passing at its opposite end into o wnings formed by the notches in the tilcsand engaging the wires. so that upon rotation of the keys the wires are placed under tension.

5). A wall. composed of a series of superposed notched tiles arranged in separated tiers, each tile having a plurality of rods or wires passing therethrough, the ends of the wires projecting beyond the notched edges of the tile; and a plurailty of combined spacing and wire-winding devices located between said ticrs.cach cf said devices carrying means projecting into openings formed by the tiles when superposed. and engaging the wires, so that. upon rotation thereof the wires are placed under tension.

10. A wall composed of a series of superposed tiles, arranged in separated tiers. each tile having a groove formed around its edges. the wall of said groove upon one face of the tile being cut away at the corners of the tile. and notched at approximately the midlcngth of the tile: a plurality of wires embedded in said lilo. the wires being arranged in pairs and the wires of each pair interlocking at approximately their midlcngth. the ends of the wires extending outwardly beyond the edges of the tile adjacent to the cut-away portions and the notches: and a plurality of keys located between the tiers of tiles. each of said keys comprising a body member, a hub adapted to pass into openings formed by the cutaway and notched portions of the tiles when the same are assembled. and means carried by each of said keys for engaging the l'rcc ends of the wires and upon rotation of said keys to place the, wires under tension. the grooves. when the tiles are assembled. forming channel for the reception of grouting which. when placed in the channels. serves to more firmly bind the tiles together and to hold the keys against rotation.

ll. As a ne article of manufin-turc. a tile having a groove or channel formed around its edges. one wall of said groove upon one face of the tile being cut away at the corners of the tile and notched at the midlength thereof upon the upper and lower edges of the tile; and a plurality of wires carried by the tile, the wires being arranged in pairs, the wires of each pair interlocking at approximately their mid-length, the ends of the wires extendin outwardly through the edges of the tile ad acent to the cut-away and notched portions.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a tile comprising a body portion having a groove or channel formed around the edges thereof, the wall of said groove upon one face of the tile being cut away at the corners of the tile and notched at its mid-length upon the upper and lower edges of the tile; a plurality of lugs extending upwardly from the groove upon the upper edge of the tile; a lurality of lugs extending downwardly rom the lower edge of the tile, both sets of lugs projecting beyond the edge of the tile; and two pairs of wires embedded in the tile, the-wires of each air interlocking at approximately their mi -length, one pair being located adjacent to one end of the tile and the other pair at the opposite end, the ends of the wires passing outwardly through the groove or channel and beyond the tile, the ends Come! 0! thin patent nay be obtained for he cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Weehlngton, D. 0." 

